Interdisciplinary circuit class therapy: Increasing therapy time on an acute stroke unit

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the implementation of interdisciplinary circuit class therapy is a feasible and sustainable means of increasing activity-based therapy time for patients in an acute stroke unit. Thirty participants (15 with stroke as a primary diagnosis) participated in twice weekly circuit class therapy for 3 weeks. Measures included therapy time, attendance rate and patient levels. Circuit class therapy signifi cantly increased the time spent engaged in activity-based therapy (circuit class therapy days: 86 ± 28; non-circuit class therapy days: 32 ± 26, P < 0.001). Circuit class therapy was feasible; operating within existing staffi ng levels with an attendance rate of 78%. It was sustainable over a 12-month period and it was also associated with high patient satisfaction. Circuit class therapy is a feasible and sustainable way of increasing activity-based therapy time for patients in an acute care setting. Further research should examine the impact of circuit class therapy provided in an acute care setting on recovery of functional abilities and length of hospital stay.